Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14650, Thomas Durant, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Durant, Thomas Elizabeth
N. 14650
CONTENTS

Reported to have died in March 1833
Massachusetts B148
Elizabeth Durant
widow of
Thomas Durant died
who died on the 2 d August 1831
of Dorchester in the State of Mass.
who was a J. S. Keeper in the Company commanded
by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded
by [blank] in the [blank]
line for Boston [blank]
Increased from: $240.
inscribed on the Roll of Class:
the rate of 500 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Jan'y
1843 and sent to [blank]
Rev. Esq. Present
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 42 5750.00
Pemi=annual allowance ending Sep 43 2500.00
deducting what has
been paid:
$6000.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, See July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by Wm. J. Woodley , Clerk. Book [blank] Vol. 3 Page 53
Reported
see letter May 15: 1843 to A. Ray. 1889 Aug 2 Rec Wm Durant history - Prior

I Nathaniel Durant of Putnam in the County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age being seventy seven years of age do hereby testify & say that in the year nineteen hundred & seventy four my Father lived in Newton near Boston in this State, that I had a half brother by the name of Thomas Durant he was about thirteen years older than myself early in that year he lived with my father & immediately after the Battle at Lexington my said brother Thomas enlisted into the service of the United States as assistant or deputy or clerk in the commissary department. I think he was first engaged in this service by a man by the name of Pigeon & served at Cambridge near Boston, sometime in the summer after his enlistment I should think in July the same year he was married to Elizabeth Clark, my said brother continued in the service of the revolution till after the taking of Burgoyne in October 1777, he acted as assistant & deputy or clerk in the commissary department till after Burgoyne's army left Boston, his men continued in & near Boston for a considerable time after his capture. I should think two years or more a part of the time my said brother served as assistant or clerk to Charles Miller who was at one time commissary, I do not remember how long Burgoyne's men did remain in Boston Newton.

my said brother Thomas continued in the service of the Revolution during the whole time of their stay, however directly  extra me My said Brother did not live in Natick since at some time after his marriage he spent his time in the service of the United States dealing out provisions & whither he began housekeeping began he left the service I do not remember but did live with his said wife at then moved to Boston where he lived a short time many years in Cambridge where he had some children, at then moved to Boston upon his making a daily he afterwards moved to Middlefield in the County of Hampshire in this state & there died several years ago leaving his said wife a widow, he never had but one wife. She is now living in Hinsdale in the County of Berkshire this State. My said brother had eight children by his said wife several of them are now living in said Hinsdale they had fair sons. Their names were William, Edward, Thomas & Clark, the names of the daughters are Fanny Polly, Sarah & Betsey. They are all now living so far as I know except Edward who died several years ago, and further the deponent saith not.
Isaac Dyer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Hampshire Co ss on the nineteenth day of July in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty seven the

aforesaid Deponent. Nathaniel Durant who is, personally known to me made solemn affirmation that the Deposition aforesaid by him subscribed contains the truth the whole truth & nothing but the truth, he having been duly examined as to subject matter contained therein, the said Deponent is a reputable witness & his testimony is entitled to full credit, this Deposition is taken at the request of Elizabeth Durant, & to be used at the War Office of the United States on the application of the said Elizabeth for a Pension on account of services rendered the United States by Thomas Durant her husband some years since deceased.
before Mark Dootittle Justice of the Peace thro' each & every County of the Commonwealth,
Thirteen lines above the signature is interlined before signing of person one line above, before signing
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Hampshire County ss.
I Samuel Wells Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Hampshire do certify that Mark Dootittle Esquire whose signature is affixed to the above certificate is a resident in the County of Hampshire aforesaid and was at the date hereof one of the Justices of the Peace throughout the Commonwealth duly commis-

signed and acting under the authority of the same - and their full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his assessments and acts done in that capacity and that the signature to said certificate is known by me to be the handwriting of the said Mark Doggett Esq
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said county. Sealed this twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven Sam Wells Clerk
Heath Deane Esq

Mr. Durant
Sir, I find on examining the Records of the Town of Newton as follows.
"The following Marriages were consummated by the Rev. Mr. Jonas Merriam of Newton."
Near the close of a long list of names I find the following,
"1775. July 23 d Thomas Durant to Elizabeth Clark both of Newton."
This may certify that the above Quotations are correctly copied from Records of the Town of Newton.
Attest
Elijah S. Woodward Town Clerk.
Newton July 18 th 1837.
Suffolk ss. Boston July 20. 1837. Then personally appeared the above named Elijah S. Woodward & made Oath that the above Certificate by him subscribed is just and true — before me.
Wm. Dufels. Justice of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Say's Office. July 20. 1837.
I hereby certify that William Dufels, whose name is by him above subscribed, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk in this State. Witness my hand & the great Seal. John C. Brigham Secy of the Commonwealth

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Berkshire ss
On this eleventh day of July eighteen hundred and thirty seven. Personally appeared before me William W. Walker. Judge of Probate for the County of and Elizabeth Durant a resident of Housatonic in the County aforesaid eighty five years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836. That she is the widow of Thomas Durant a clerk under Charles Miller, and in the war of the revolution during same. That at the time of Lexington battle in Mass, on the nineteenth day of April 1775. said Thomas was, as in notorious of residence in Newton County of Middlesex State of Mass, that he was in Hatties at Lexington, that immediately after the battle he went to Cambridge Mass, & returned to Housatonic as clerk of company Charles Miller that in March 1776 when the British army evacuated Boston said Miller went with Boston, & Thomas went in Boston & Thomas remained with him as clerk to said Miller until October 1777. in which month the troops taken at Saratoga under Genl. Burgoyne were sent marched to Charleston Mass, from that time till Oct 1778 when said troops left Cambridge said Thomas was in company, when said troops left Cambridge he went with them as far as Danvers - then he left Housatonic - Some time before the battle of Lexington said Thomas was a member of a company of minute men commanded by Capt. Phineas Cook, & went to Lexington as a private in said company - I have in my possession no documentary evidence of the service of said Thomas - said Thomas as far as understood entered in the service at the time he commenced being clerk under said Miller - At the time of Thomas company he had two clerks under him, one named Peter Sprague, one named Jenkins.
She further declared that she was married to said Thomas

Deceased in July 1875 after the battle of Lexington - Parker knew the day of the month she is not able to state by the Rev. Jonas Miriam a Congregational Minister that her husband Mr. Thomas died on second day of August 1831. and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Elizabeth Pratt
5.
Subscribed & sworn to before me.
William P. Walker S. Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Berkshire ss. I Henry W. Bishop Register of the Probate of Probate in & for said County of Berkshire do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Elizabeth Pratt for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court at Pittsfield this Eleventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate.

I Betty Dacey of Hinsdale County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged forty eight years, do hereby testify & say that I am the daughter of Thomas Durant late of Middlesex County of Hampshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts deceased, and of Elizabeth Durant wife of said Thomas
That my Father died Aug st 2 d 1831. Since which time My Mother, said Elizabeth Durant, has remained a widow, and is the same Elizabeth Durant, who made a declaration before the Hon William P. Walker on the eleventh day of July current, to have the benefit of the laws passed by Congress on the 4 th day 1836. That in Nov r 1832 My Mother removed from Middlesex to Hinsdale aforesaid. I have very many times heard my Father tell of being in service in the Revolutionary war, and of living with Charles Miller who was in the service of the revolution - I have repeatedly heard him tell of delivering out provisions to Burgoyne's troops of his acting in his employ two clerks, at that time, one by the name of Poley & Prager who I have heard My Mother say was since Member of Congress, & the other clerk by the name of Jenkins.
I also say that My Mother, said Elizabeth Durant, has been a Member in regular standing in the Baptist Church for thirty four or five years and is up to the present time, and has always maintained a good Moral character
Betty Dacey
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss On the twenty eighth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty seven. The above named Betty Dacey, a person well known to me, personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit by her signature, and I further Certify that the said Betty Dacey is a reputable witness & her testimony entitled to full credit
Charles H. Plumbett Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Berkshire

State of New York County of Onondaga ss. Samuel Clark of the Town of Denmark in Said County aged eighty three years being duly sworn according to law depose and say, that he has a sister by the name of Elizabeth, who is about two years older than this deponent, and that she was married to Thomas Durant, about the month of July 1775, as this deponent understood at that time & verily believes, that they resided at the time of their marriage in Hatfield  Hartford Middlesex County in the State of Massachusetts, and that his said sister now resides in the Town of Hinsdale in said State of Massachusetts, as this deponent is informed, and that she is now a widow. And this deponent further says that the said Thomas Durant was Quartermaster, duly appointed by the United States Government as this deponent understood at the time, and that this deponent knows that he acted as such from the time Burgoyne's Army arrived in the vicinity of Boston in the fall of 1777 until the said Army left the State of Massachusetts, which was upwards of one year from the time they arrived there. That this deponent saw said Durant almost every week while acting in the capacity of Quartermaster, and that said Durant had clerks who served under him, while acting as Quartermaster as foresaid. That said Durant was

a commissary and acted as such for said Burgoyne's Army while prisoners of war in the State of Massachusetts. Samuel Clark Sworn & subscribed before me this 5 th day of December 1837 L. Moore J.P.
I certify that on the 5 th day of December 1837 personally appeared before me the above named Samuel Clark to me well known as a man of truth & veracity & made oath in due form of law to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. I further certify that the words "Western Middlesex County" were interlined & added by me
L. Moore Justice of the Peace
State of New York Lewis Co. ss
I Carlos P. Powell Clerk of Lewis Co. do certify that Ziba Knowlton was a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Lewis on the date above written
Carlos P. Powell Clk By Wm King Dept

L. W. B. W. 14650.
This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
April 10, 1899.
Sir:-
In response to your recent communication you are advised that Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Durant, made an application for pension on July 11, 1837, at which time she was 85 years of age and residing at Hinsdale, Mass., and her pension was allowed for the actual service of her husband as an Issuing Store-keeper in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war, for a period of twenty months. He enlisted at Newton, Mass., and served under Capt. Miller.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. W. N. Durant,
237 - 22nd Street,
Milwaukee, Wis.

Apr 10 '99 N N Durant Milwaukee, Wis
Relg
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14650
Elizabeth Durant
Widow of
Thomas Durant
12 m th St. Joseph New War-
Act: July 4 th 1856
Index:—Vol. A , Page 199
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Rev. Mr. Durant 2109 St. Paul St. Baltimore

Let. to A Ray Nov. 3. 1842
3148
Elizabeth ...
widow of Thomas ... who died on the ... of ... in the State of ... who was a ... in the ... commanded by Captain ... commanded by ... in the ... line for 12 months as a ...
Inscribed on the Roll of ... as the rate of ... Dollars ... Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the ... day of ... 1839 ...
Arrears to the 4th of ... 2040.00 Semi-annual allowance ending ... 120.00 2160.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the ...
Recorded by L.M. Burdy, Clerk, Book A. V Page 49.

Set to A Ray Nov 18 1842

San Jose Conf May 24. 1776. 60. Miller Stockton Lans. $50 p er m o .
Mr. Durand 60 th 3/4 p er day 2 Rates,
M 75 d t Aug 2 o 1831. " "

Thomas Durant d. 1831 Newton.
Elizabeth m. 1775
1775 Clerk to Comj. C. Mellen and so rem d to Oct. 1777 Oct. 77 Sp d Comj. C. Oct. 1775.
See aff d of Vol Durant
Mass Roll Vol 45 p 292
Thomas Durant. Stockum Cambridge on a return of the above James De for Aug 1779
Was opp d C th May 24. 1776 See journal Comj C.

2 Oct 37
7 Dec
11 Jan 38
24 May 76
Nov 78 Canada sold to a major freehold of property

2109 St Paul St.
Baltimore, Md.,
26 July, 1889.
Dear Sir,
A pension was paid to Elizabeth (Clark) Durant, till her death in March, 1858, for the service of her husband, Thomas Durant. He was successively of Newton, Cambridge and Middlefield, Mass. She resided in Pittsfield, Mass., during widowhood from about 1832 to 1858.
Will you kindly inform me whether records are preserved to show the nature and duration of the connection of this Thomas Durant with the army of the Revolution. Tradition makes him an officer in the commissary department for 1777 and possibly 1778 and later; assigned to duty at Albany, N.Y. & Cambridge, Mass.
An early reply will greatly oblige.
Yours, very truly.
(Rev) William Durant.

EXTRACT FROM AWARD AT THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
"The Durant Counter is of a High Grade of Workmanship, well Constructed of Interchangeable Parts, Durable and Accurate."
"I'M TELLING YOU SOMETHING THAT COUNTS."
W. N. DURANT,
MANUFACTURER OF
Counting Machines,
237 TWENTY-SECOND STREET,
Milwaukee, Wis.
Feb. 27th, 1899.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly send me certificate showing that Elizabeth Durant applied in 1837 for a revolutionary pension for the services of Thomas Durant.
Kindly give this matter your early attention and greatly oblige.
(Dictated-
Yours very truly,
W. N. Durant

Washington Sept 31. 1842
Sir
In compliance with your letter of the 18 th of Nov. I now enclose you Mrs. Elizabeth Durant's old pension certificate at the rate of $240 pr. annum for a new one at the increased rate of $300 pr. as a for 20 yrs. service assistant Misses' companion - in the Massachusetts Continental line.
See your letter of May 1841.
I am very respectfully Yours &c. Alex. Ray
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions

I am satisfied from looking into the case of Thomas Durant's widow that he was a Storekeeper from Oct. 1778 to Aug. 1779, and for such service she is entitled to a pension, provided the proof as to the time of the marriage is satisfactory. If longer service can be proved, she should have the benefit of it. My head aches, and but for this I would examine the whole of the papers - J.L.E.

Washington Apr. 5. 1842.
Sir,
In your letter of the 3 rd inst. you say, in the case of Mr. Elizabeth Durant, widow of Thomas. There is no evidence of his service further than from Oct 1778. to Augt. 1779.
Thomas Durant was an assistant. during commissioning. and as the Washington papers at the State Department afford evidence of longer duration of service than you represent. May I respectfully request of you to ask to be furnished with such evidence as the records show. of Durant's services, and capacity.
I am now respectfully Your-Ord. Ser. Thos. Hays
L. L. Edwards Esq. Comm. of Pensions

The Murch. Col. H. L. B. Miller Spring Stone keep Cambridge. May 24. 1776. See Journal of Congress p. 50 for merits
The Murch. Stone keeps at Cambridge Aug. 1779. See Mass. coll. Vol. 45. p. 292 March 1775. Died Aug. 2 1831.

Eliz Stuart 2585
Wid of Thomas
Mass
Ad July 4. 1831
Married 1775
Died 2 o Aug 1831
Also 2 nd as
Inverness Str. Keeper at Cambridge Mass.
$240 per ann from March 4. 1831
admission entered in Register
H. G. Briggs A. R.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836, Elizabeth Dyer, a resident of Hopkinton, widow of Thomas Dyer deceased who was a Private in the 1st Regiment of Continental Troops, who died on the 29th August 1831, is entitled to receive Five hundred and forty dollars and cents per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Sixteenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine.
W. P. Cummins
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
John M. [unclear]
Commissioner of Pensions.

Payment to be made at Boston by Franklin Warren Agent for paying Pen- sioners, in the Agency of Nipmuc Mills.
Issue new certificate for 20 mo.
$500 - deduct what has been paid
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book 1. Vol. 2, Page 49, by
A. Ray Esq Crescent
L. M. Curdy
Clerk.

Washington
Sept 27. 182.
Sir
You will receive, or may have received the pension certificate of Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart at the rate of $200 per annum, through the Hon. S. H. Baugh. It was promised to her to "care the postage." Your letter to me of last month in this case, allowing an increase of pension upon the additional evidence exhibited and forwarded to Mr. Stewart.
The claim is made to an increase at the rate of 200 per annum, as an invalid commencing at 400 in the year of the revolution. See your letter of 23 March 1821.
When you forward the new certificate to Mrs. Baugh be pleased to inform me.
I am Sir
most respectfully Geo. H. Ray.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm. of Pensions.

Washington Nov. 1. 1842.
Sir,
I enclose you an application from Mrs. Elizabeth Durant, widow of Thomas, and a pensioner on the Massachusetts state act 1836 at the rate of $240 per annum.
Her husband was an apothecary Com- pany of June during the revolutionary war. — for said service now claim an augmentation to her present pension at the rate of $600 pr. annum. Be pleased to have the claim examined.
I am Sir most respectfully Adv. May
Lieut. Genl. L. Edwards Com d of Pensions

Washington Nov. 1. 1842.
Sir,
I enclose you an application from Mrs. Elizabeth Durant, widow of Thomas, and a pensioner on the Massachusetts state act 1836 at the rate of $240 per annum.
Her husband was an apothecary Com- pany of June during the revolutionary war. - for said service now claim an augmentation to her present pension at the rate of $600 pr. annum. Be pleased to have the claim examined.
I am Sir most respectfully Thos. May
Lieut. Genl. L. Edwards Com d of Pensions

Washington April 6. 1873
Sir
In presenting to you an original paper relating as you will find to the settlement of accounts with persons employed in the Commissary Department under Samuel Gray Deputy Commissary General, signed by himself and by Genl. Burnside Commissioner for settling accounts, by which it is shown, that monies have been paid to various persons at different dates as per accounts from No. 1. to 92. amounting to $74,408. 1. the persons named therein I might venture to state were all assistant commissaries.
Without bestowing any particular consideration on the paper in question when I first received it from Thomas Gray Esq. of Froidham Ct. a son of the late Samuel Gray Ex-Dep. Com. General. It was passed over upon the supposition that the date of the payments to said assistant commissaries was on the settlement of their accounts when they left the service, but I find by an examination such was not the case. In the first place it would not be reasonable to suppose that so many assistant commissaries would have left the service being ninety two in number in such regular succession, and sometimes several on the same day, at a time too when their services was so much required. Indeed the contrary is shown to have been the fact. In the settlement of the accounts with the commissaries as shown by the statement referred to, it would appear to be not for pay or wages but as accounts current. And after the date of settlement further service in many cases was performed, for example, Samuel Cantfield who was an assistant commissary is represented in the paper enclosed.

acc t [N o 19] to have been paid on the 6 March 1779. p 881. 25 Bath. Stevens assistant commission appears to have been paid on the 9 th of April 1779. [N o 27] p 2. 163. 75. Again, Reuben Stiles an assistant spring commission was paid on the 14 April 1779. p 1998. 12. [N o 29]
Now as there is abundant proof that Samuel Combs was in service at a later period than the 6 March 1779. when he was paid the amount of p 881. 25. also in the case of Bath. Stevens you hold proof of his service far later than the 9 th of April 1779. And you have evidence likewise that Reuben Stiles as an assistant spring commission served to a later date than the payment made to him in April 1779. the papers filed in these cases will prove the facts. And as it can be established that many of the spring commissions performed service after their accounts were adjusted and payments made as per list, the question arises is - as it is shown that persons named in the enclosed paper performed service after the time of the settlement of their account current, is it not to be supposed and taken as evidence, that to such persons as payments was made to was in service in a military capacity up to the date that the payment was made to them.
The widow of Thomas Simmons of Dept. was recently allowed a pension act 1836. for the service of her husband as an eng t commission up to the 1 Oct. 1779. The accounts of Dept. Comps may show that on the 17 Jan y 1780 [N o 85] Thomas Simmons was settled and he was paid p 652. His claim is now open for additional service to wit, from the 1 Oct 1779. to the 17 Jan y 1780 - the time a payment was made to him by the evidence adduced.
I am Sir your serv t &c.
Alex. Ray

That this deponent was at that time in the service of the United States & was stationed at Cambridge aforesaid.
That said Durant remained at Cambridge until the British troops evacuated Boston, when as this deponent was informed at that time & verily believes that he was stationed at Boston & had charge of the Military Stores at that place.
And this deponent further states that after Burgoyne's Army was taken and were taken to Cambridge Massachusetts that the said Thomas Durant acted as Quartermaster for said Army from the time said Army came to Cambridge which this deponent believes was in November 1777 till said Army was removed from that place which he believes was in the Spring of 1779.
And this deponent further states that the said Thomas Durant died as he is informed & believes about six years ago and that his said wife now the said Elizabeth now resides in the Town of Housdale Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
Sworn & subscribed before
Me the day & year above written
Samuel Clark
J. Munroe S.P.
I certify that the above named Samuel Clark to me known as a person of truth and veracity personally appeared before me on the day & year above mentioned & made oath in due form of law to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
State of New York Clerks Office Lewis County
J. Munroe Justice of the Peace
I Carlos P. Scovil Clerk of said County do hereby certify that I to a know Ensign before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been taken was on the day of the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in & for said County Commissioned and duly sworn And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe his signature subscribed to said affidavit to be his own proper hand writing - Given under my hand and seal of said County this 22 day of July 1837 - Carlos P. Scovil Clerk

State of New York Lewis County } ss. On this 22 nd day of July in the year 1837 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said county Samuel Clark of Denmark in said county aged eighty three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth depose and say That before and during the Revolutionary War he resided with his father in the Town of Newton Middlesex County in the State of Massachusetts except while in the service of the united States. That he had a Sister by the name of Elizabeth Clark who is about twenty months older than this deponent That in the year 1775 in the month of July as he believes in this deponent had an invitation to attend the wedding of his said Sister but that he was then in the service of the united States at Cambridge in said State and did not attend said wedding but that he was at his fathers family house two or three days after the wedding and was told by his mother & understood from other members of his fathers family that his said Sister was lawfully married to Thomas Durant by the Reverend Jonas Merriam a minister of the gospel of said Town of Newton aforesaid. That this deponent lived a near neighbor to the said Thomas Durant & Elizabeth for for about twenty years and that they lived and cohabited together as husband and wife
That in the year 1775 the said Thomas Durant entered the service of the united States about the first of May in the State service as he believes of the State of Massachusetts as Deputy commissary or Clerk under commissary Miller and had charge of the Military store at Cambridge in said State, that this deponent frequently drew provisions from the Military store of which said Durant had charge in the year 1775

That this deponent was at that time in the service of the United States & was stationed at Cambridge aforesaid. That said Durant remained at Cambridge until the British troops evacuated Boston, when as this deponent was informed at that time & verily believes that he was stationed at Boston & had charge of the Military Stores at that place.
And this deponent further states that after Burgoyne's Army was taken and were taken to Cambridge Massachusetts that the said Thomas Durant acted as Spring Commissary for said Army from the time said Army came to Cambridge which this deponent believes was in November 1777 till said Army was removed from that place which he believes was in the Spring of 1779.
And this deponent further states that the said Thomas Durant died as he is informed & believes about six years ago and that his said widow the said Elizabeth now resides in the Town of Housdale Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
Sworn & subscribed before
the day & year above written
Samuel Clark
J. Know J.P.
I certify that the above named Samuel Clark to me known as a person of truth and veracity personally appeared before me on the day & year above mentioned & made oath in due form of law to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
State of New York Clerks Office Lewis County
J. Know Justice of the Peace
I Carlos P. Scovil Clerk of said County do hereby certify that J. Know Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been taken was on the day of the date of the same a Justice of the peace in & for said County Commissioned and duly sworn and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe his signature subscribed to said affidavit to be his own proper hand writing - Given under my hand and seal of said County this 22 day of July 1837 - Carlos P. Scovil Clerk

Extract.
A General Return of Provisions &c. Received (including what remain'd on hand the last day of the preceding month) Issued or Forwarded, also what remain'd  on hand at the Different Posts & Magazines in the Eastern District under the Direction of Samuel Gray D. C. E. of Issues for the Month of Octr. 1779.
   Flour Hard Bread   Bags Pounds Casks Pounds     James Richardson Boston Massachusetts . . . 370 76296 11 1326   Thomas Durant Cambridge . . . do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   x   x   x   x   x   x x x x x   Errors Excepted In behalf of Samuel Gray D. C. Genl. Issues Thos. Pratt.  
Letters to Washington, Army Returns, 102.

I Thomas Durant of Hen dale county of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Mass aged forty six years. Before I say that I am the son of Thomas mentioned in the last of the above Durant late of Hen dale and this but Durant
That my father died on 2 nd 1831. Since then him my mother, Elizabeth Durant has remained a widow - That she is the same Elizabeth Durant who has this day made a declaration before the Hon. W. P. Walker to the effect that it is true that it has passed by consent on the 4 th July 1836 -
Thomas Durant
S.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. July 11 1837. Then personally appeared before me, Sutor of the court of Probate within & for said county of Berkshire. The above named Thomas Durant a person to me well known, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit, and I further certify that the said Thomas Durant is a person entitled to credit. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & sealed the seal of said court of Probate to be affixed this eleventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
William P. Walker

Extract.
A General Return of Provision &c. Rec d (including what remain'd in Store the last day of the Preceding Month) found & remaining in the Several Stores in the Eastern District under the direction of Saml. Gray D. C. G. of Stores for the Month of March 1778 agreeable to the Returns of the Spring Commissaries.
   Flour Bread   Casks Barrels Casks     John White .. Piskills .. New York .. " 27633 "   x   x   x   x   x   x   x x x x   Thomas Durant Cambridges Massachusetts " 76129 "   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x x x x   Errors Excepted   Saml. Gray   Dy. Comy. Genl. of Stores.  

Berkshire County } S. S. State of Massachusetts. }
On this fourteenth day of October 1872. Personally appeared before me Charles H. Plunkett a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, Mrs Elizabeth Gurnett a resident of Hinsdale, who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath state, that she is the widow of the late Thomas Gurnett, who was an assistant commissary of stores in the war of the rebellion and for whose services she is now under the rec d . of a pension act of Congress 1836. at the rate of $240 per annum Massachusetts etc.
In the object of this application, being made is, in order to obtain an increase on her present pension at the rate of $50 per month - for during her life, as the widow of assistant commissary Thomas Gurnett, and the payment of the increase thereon from the 4 March 1831.
Sworn and subscribed to Elizabeth Gurnett day and year above written. before me. (She being personally known to me.)
Ch. H. Plunkett Justice Peace

I Elias Thompson 2 of Peru County of of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman. Being seventy five years of age. do hereby testify & say that I have lived on the farm that I now occupy about forty eight years, and about the time I first went on to this said farm Thomas Durant there , came into the town of Middlefield in the County of Hampshire, on to a farm about one mile from my dwelling house. where he resided until his death which was about five or six years since. I was intimately acquainted with the said Thomas Durant from the time he came into the neighborhood until his death, and also with his wife & children & said wife's father whose name was Clark, and I also testify that his said wife with whom he lived during my whole acquaintance with him has never been married since said Thomas death & now lives in Hunsdale in the County of Berkshire and that she his said wife has ever since my first acquaintance with her, sustained a good Christian character in life & conversation, and that he the said Thomas Durant also sustained a good moral char- -acter. I have very often heard the said Thomas Durant tell of being in the revolutionary war, of his being commissary and acting as such in Cambridge or near Boston in this State! I am acquainted with the children of the said Thomas & his wife, whose names are William Edward Thomas, Clark, Nancy, Polly Sarah & Betsey who are now all living & Helen except Edward who had been dead some ten or fifteen years
Elias Thompson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. On the first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty seven. The aforesaid Elias Thompson 2 a person well known to me, personally appeared & made to the foregoing Affidavit by him signed both to its truth, and further certify
ours

that the said Elias Thompson is a reputable witness & his testimony entitled to full credit Charles H. Hammett Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Bedford

I Abraham Peckson of Winddale County of Berkshire - Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age, being fifty seven years of age, do hereby testify & say that I have been a regularly ordained minister of the gospel for twenty nine years up to the the present time, and have been the pastoral charge of the Baptist Church in Winddale aforesaid up to the year 1833 - since that the said Church was composed of Members from Winddale, Peru, Washington & other adjoining towns in the County of Berkshire, and from Charlemont and Middlefield in the County of Franklin, and have been personally acquainted with Thomas Davenport late of Middlefield aforesaid up to the time of his decease, and also with Elizabeth, wife of said Thomas, who remains a widow since said Thomas' decease, & now resides in Winddale aforesaid to which place she had removed since said Thomas' death. And that said Elizabeth is & has been a Member of the Baptist Church since my first ac- quaintance with her, which is between thirty & forty years and has been during the whole time in regular standing, and that her character during the whole time has been above reproach, for truth & veracity, Abraham Peckson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss On the Twenty Eighth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty seven. The aforesaid Deponent, Abraham Peckson, a person to me well known personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him signed - And I further certify that the said Abraham Peckson's testimony is entitled to full credit and as a minister of the gospel, he sustains an unblemished character
Charles H. Plumbett Justice of the Peace within for the County of Berkshire

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss.
I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Court within for the County of Berkshire do certify that Charles H. Plunkett Esq. before whom the foregoing annexed deposition of Abraham Jackson, Betsy Tracy & Elias Thompson 2 d were taken is & was on the 28 th day of July last a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Berkshire duly commissioned & qualified as such & that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this second day of August 1837 Chas Sedgwick Clerk

Aug
Thomas Durand
He died Aug 2 1831 at Newton Mass before the passage of a pension law under which he would have been entitled and the statement of her services in her pension was by the widow & her witnesses Moved to Middlefield about 1790
She was married at Newton, Middlefield Mass July 23 1775 to Elizabeth Clark both of Newton. She was living July 23 1832 at Middlefield Berk. She was aged 85 years. It was a misfortune of the Baptist Church her death from under cat Phoebe Cook.
He was a minute at Newton when the alarm was made of the British from Boston to Cambridge he turned out & was in the battle
At Cambridge he was appointed clerk to Company of Sophia Charles Mother when the enemy evacuated Boston March 17 1776 he accompanied William D. Boston & returned with him 1777 he was appointed captain of Company in which capacity he acted while the prisoners from Brandywine Army encamped near Boston & until they reached they left in the fall of 1778
Thomas son of the above of Middlefield Berkshire died aged 86 years testified in July 1837 to the death of father
Ebenezer Thompson of same Berkshire aged 95 years testified Aug 1837 that he had lived on same farm 48 years & that about the same time as he occupied the farm the Durand family moved to Middlefield & lived until he died. He was acquainted with Durand's children whose names are Mr Edward, John, Clark, Nancy, Polly, Sarah & Betsy who are now living he believes except Edward who has been dead 10 or 12 years
Betsy Nancy living in Middlefield testified in July 1837 she was a daughter aged 88 years
Abraham Durand of Palmer Hampshire May 77 years old testified in July 1837 that his father in 1775 lived in Newton & had a half brother named Thomas born 13 years older than himself who was living with his father first engaged in Cambridge & kept a man named Pigeon at New Bedford at the same time as his father. He did not immediately go to New Bedford. His wife joining with him in Cambridge then in Boston he had 8 children all living except Edward

Samuel Clark a brother of Elizabeth (Clark) Durant. Stated in July 1837 that he was living in Denmark, Seneca County N.Y. aged 83 yrs.